Aadhaar Number Should Not be Printed on University Marksheets or Certificates: UGC

In a notice dated September 4, 2018, UGC has asked universities to not mention Aadhaar number of students on the as it breaches the security and confidentiality of the Aadhaar numbers.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed the universities and colleges across the country not to print Aadhaar number on Certificates or Marksheets issued by them. Earlier, the higher education regulator (UGC) had asked universities to introduce identification mechanisms like the photograph and Unique lD/ Aadhaar number in students' certificates in order to enhance transparency within the system. In a notice dated September 4, 2018, UGC has asked universities to not mention Aadhaar number of students on the as it breaches the security and confidentiality of the Aadhaar numbers.

Previous Decision of UGC on the Inclusion of Aadhaar Numbers: -

The decision to include Aadhaar number on Certificates or Degrees was taken to enhance the security features and information provided in the degrees awarded to students. The aim of UGC is to stop fraudulent activities when it comes to education qualification.

J S Sandhu, Secretary of UGC, explained the move and said that it will help in introducing transparency in the academic activities related to higher education. Providing security features in the marksheets and other certificates will ease up the verification process and will help eradicate duplication, added Sandhu.

In the most recent directive sent out by the UGC, all the universities have been directed to add unique identification features in degrees and other academic certificates to eliminate impersonation and duplication.

Sandhu also added that other essential information such as the name of the institution where the student has enrolled and mode of the programme/ degree (regular, part-time or distance) for which the student had enrolled.

The UGC has been working on making the education system more transparent. The regulatory body has also published a list of fake universities and institutions that have been functioning in India without the approval of regulators.